Will Derby’s golden girl do it again?

Nicole Horwood and Capital Don Cumarco

All eyes will be on Nicole Horwood this year. Horwood and her horse Capital Don Cumarco have won the last 3 Galencia Property South African Derbies in a row: 2012, 2013 and 2014. Should she make it 4 in a row, it will be history in the making at the 50th anniversary of the Galencia Property South African Derby, as no-one has ever achieved this feat.

This 42-year old mother of two has been winning major showjumping competitions since 2012, including the Avis Derby (2012), the South African Championships (2013), the Midrand World Cup Qualifier (2014) and the World Cup Series (2014).

The highlight of her showjumping career is winning the Galencia Property South African Derby 3 times in a row.

“I will be riding Mark White Nissan Capital Don Cumarco and Mark White Nissan Capital Look At Me in this year’s Derby,” Horwood said. “Capital Don Cumarco has been a horse of a lifetime and he is helped me realise my dreams, and much more. His favourite event is definitely the Galencia Property South African Derby – he thrives on the atmosphere!”

If she is not competing, or training with her coach, Gonda Betrix, in the early morning hours, you will find her fishing, just another hobby she enjoys.

As we come together to celebrate 50 years of history, this year’s theme for Derby is The Midas Touch. Half a century since its inception, the 2015 celebration of this distinguished event is set to be a weekend of entertainment, fashion, food and wine, all in gold.